LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This weekend’s freezing cold weather caused sprinkler pipes to burst at one Louisville nonprofit’s warehouse. On Christmas Day, staff from the No Kill Louisville Pet Food Bank got a call no one ever wants to get — there’s been a flood.
“It was raining down on all of the food, all of our equipment, all of our paperwork, everything that we have here,” Jeremy Ficklin, director of media and public relations for No Kill Louisville Pet Food Bank said. “This entire area and the other side as well. It literally looked like rain coming down from the ceiling, no single spot.”
Initially, the staff believed everything inside would be ruined but after surveying the damage Monday, there is some good news. Some pallets, which were covered in plastic, can possibly be salvaged.
But other parts of the facility were not so lucky.
“Our expectation is that the bagged food for the most part is probably a loss,” Ficklin said.
Much of their cat food and supplies are completely ruined. So are materials that were to be used in a fundraiser early next year. Ficklin says it will take around a week or so to fully know what all has been lost.
Around 120 families depend on the pet food bank to feed their animals. The next distribution is scheduled for early January. Thankfully, pet supply company Chewy reached out and will help ensure those families are taken care of.
Still, they are asking for more supplies to replenish what’s been lost. Donations can be made here on their website. The organization asks if you’d like to donate supplies or food to message their Facebook page.